The 13 Best Men’s Hiking Boots and Shoes

Style: Mid-calf boot | Waterproofing: Gore-Tex | Traction: Deep lugs

Bringing together the best qualities of old-school boots and new-school trail runners, these hardy hiking shoes from Salomon feature deep lugs that’ll grip onto any terrain, a reinforced toe, and breathable Gore-Tex to keep your feet nice and dry. Yet despite these features, they’re super-flexible on the foot. Mark Whitman of Mountain IQ told us he wears his pair in all seasons; writer and outdoor enthusiast Jael Goldfine recently section-hiked New York on the Appalachian Trail in a brand-new pair and confirms they broke in immediately. “They’re built like sneakers but have the support and tough exterior of a hiking boot,” she says. “They were immediately comfortable.”

Style: Over-the-ankle boot | Waterproofing: Waterproof membrane | Traction: Deep lugs

Whenever a friend asks me what hiking shoe to buy, I tell them they can’t go wrong with the Merrell Moab — especially if it’s their first hiking shoe. Waterproof, sturdy, and relatively affordable, the Moab is a classic in the hiking-footwear genre for a reason. “Merrells are really easy to come by, and they’re always in stock,” says hiking guide Melissa Goodwin. “They don’t take a long time to break in because they’re flexible from the get-go.” For this reason, “they’re a lot of people’s first hiking shoe,” Goodwin says, and if you’re not planning on doing anything particularly technical, you could easily keep wearing them for life. Strategist style columnist Chris Black is a Moab guy, saying these have earned the acronym “mother of all boots” for a reason and are basically the “Air Force 1 of hiking shoes.” And those who often find shoes too narrow will be pleased to know that Moabs come in two widths for optimum size customization.

Style: Over-the-ankle boot | Waterproofing: Non-waterproof | Traction: Medium lugs

Utah brand Altra is known for its trail runners, but it makes ankle boots using the same lightweight tech. This pair is especially waterproof and durable thanks to a Gore-Tex-like membrane called eVent. They’re “made for fast, lightweight hiking, even thru-hiking, especially when the weather is a lot less than perfect,” says Strategist contributing writer James Lynch. “They have a waterproof upper, and an aggressive tread pattern.” In addition to the brand’s signature wide toe box that allows your toes to splay out as you walk, these also have a zero-drop design, which means the angle from the heel to the toe is flat. If you’ve never worn zero-drop shoes before, this flatness might take some time to get used to — I felt it in my calves for my first few hikes. If you’re looking for a shoe with lots of arch support, this isn’t the shoe for you. (You might have some success with adding insoles, but if you’re looking for more arch support, I would recommend the Oboz Bridger, below.) So make sure to try them on and break them in before you use them for any long-distance hiking.

Style: Over-the-ankle boot | Waterproofing: Waterproof membrane | Traction: Deep lugs

When temperatures dip on the trail, you’ll want a little more insulation for your feet. The thinner mesh constructions of non-insulated boots might freeze your toes, no matter how thick your socks are. I have worn these insulated Oboz boots for the past three years for day hikes, long out-and-backs, and overnight backpacking trips and have found that the higher, eight-inch collar hugs my ankles and keeps them supported — and the guidance is especially helpful on uneven trails. The Bridger has a layer of insulation in the upper that boosts warmth, and it has a membrane that repels water. It’s so effective that my feet have stayed dry even after trudging through muddy trails in New Mexico and slushy park puddles in New York City. My favorite feature, though, is the fit, which feels snug on my feet whether I’m wearing thick wool socks or thin athletic socks. Plus, they’re available in wide sizing.

Style: Over-the-ankle boot | Waterproofing: Waterproof membrane | Traction: Deep lugs

While Goodwin is loyal to her Altra trail runners (below) for most of the year, during winter, she admits that a waterproof ankle boot becomes necessary on muddy and snowy trails. “Keens are my go-to,” she says. “If you’re more of a trail runner like me, they’re a good fit because they tend to have a wider toe box, just like Altras or Hokas.” Made from leather with a breathable and odor-reducing waterproof membrane, these boots (alongside a pair of toasty wool socks) are still lightweight enough for anyone used to doing most of their physical activity in sneakers.

Style: Sneaker | Waterproofing: Waterproof membrane | Traction: Deep lugs

This is the low-cut version of the Merrell Moab 3 — our best less-expensive pick, above — and it’s the first shoe I recommend for summer or warm-weather hiking. Its mesh upper construction provides airflow while I’m moving, so it helps keep my feet cool and dry in hot weather. It has a waterproof membrane, too, so my feet don’t get completely soaked if I’m hiking in a summer storm.

Style: Sneaker | Waterproofing: Non-waterproof | Traction: Medium lugs

And here are those aforementioned trail runners that Altra is famous for. These beefed-up sneakers are especially known for their splayed-out toe box, which gives a lot of wiggle room — vital for increasing circulation whether you’re walking or running. Like the Altra ankle boots above, these feature a “zero drop” profile, meaning your toe sits at the same elevation as your heel for a more natural gait (and again, without a lot of arch support). “Altra Lone Peaks are one of the more popular trail runners for thru-hikers,” says Harrison Bacordo, a hiker who completed the Pacific Crest Trail in September, adding that you shouldn’t jump into a long hike without getting used to them first. The Altras feature grippy lugs and a reinforced toe box for protection against rocks, but they still feel very light. “They sit in the sweet spot of protection and minimalism,” says Hazzard. “The more cushion and sole you have, the more removed from the trail the feel is.”

Style: Sneaker | Waterproofing: Non-waterproof | Traction: Medium lugs

If you want to prioritize comfort, I recommend the Speedgoat, especially if you’ll only be hiking occasionally (you likely won’t need a heavy boot for short day hikes). Like many Hoka shoes, the standout feature of the Speedgoat is its thick, cushioned sole. I’ve used previous versions of the Speedgoat (including a waterproof version with Gore-Tex) for light hiking and trail running over the past four years, and I tested the latest version for the past month. Think of taking your favorite Hoka running shoe and adding deep, grippy lugs to it — that’s what the Speedgoat feels like. The super-cushioned Speedgoats also come recommended by Bacordo, who used them for the majority of his thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. (He started with Speedgoat 4’s, then switched to Speedgoat 5’s after about 300 miles.) “Having only worn non-zero-drop shoes up until then, I didn’t want to risk an early on-trail injury by skipping over the transition period that shoes like Lone Peaks demand. So I leaned into non-zero-drop shoes that focused more on comfort and cushioning, which led me to Speedgoats. These shoes worked wonders for me and many other hikers I met on trail,” he says. The Speedgoats have a four-millimeter heel-to-toe drop and an airy mesh upper that breathes well.

Style: Sneaker | Waterproofing: Non-waterproof | Traction: Medium lugs

These trail runners from Canadian brand Norda are more lightweight than the other pairs on this list, as well as more eco-friendly — their plant-based Dyneema fabric is manufactured using sustainably sourced wood pulp. Hiemstra’s had his pair for almost two years and says they’re his most-worn shoe whether he’s trail running, backpacking, day hiking, or just traveling. They can be laced tight or loose and benefit from a slightly chunky Vibram sole while never weighing down the foot. He also likes them for their unusually good looks: “I get compliments from the UPS guy, from the bodega man, at the climbing gym, and from the older gentlemen in line at the coffee stand. People love this shoe.” When I spoke to artist Geoff McFetridge about his favorite things, he spoke highly of his Nordas and their durability. “I’ve really put them through a lot, and they’re holding up way more than a regular trail-running shoe,” he says. “They have a super-strong upper and a grippy Vibram sole.”

Style: Sneaker | Waterproofing: Non-waterproof | Traction: Medium lugs

Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard has been trail running for more than ten years now and even completed five 100-milers. He’s a Brooks fan and says that the original cult-favorite running shoe is the best value for the money. “Other brands made improvements over the years, and the Cascadias fell out of favor for a long time, but in the last couple years they have been redesigned,” he says. “Now I think they’re perfect: really solid, mid-cushioning.” They’re also a little more affordable than the picks above.

Style: Mid-calf boot | Waterproofing: Gore-Tex | Traction: Medium lugs

For those who like to feel that bounce as they walk, Hokas are known for their chunky cushioned soles. “They are great shoes when either your foot’s injured and you need something with extra cushion or if you don’t have the miles on your legs but have signed up for a long trail,” says Hazzard. “They’re very forgiving, very cushy — it’s like walking on a little mattress. It’s great for when you have to drastically increase your mileage without physically being prepared for it.”

Style: Mid-calf boot | Waterproofing: Water-resistant leather | Traction: Low lugs

“If you’re looking for one boot to rule them all, the vintage styling of the Danner Mountain Light is iconic, and the one-piece leather design makes for a sturdy boot that can handle anything,” says Zina Bougri, a former account manager at Backcountry. “Once these babies mold to your feet, if you’re invested in the process, they should be absolutely comfortable within a month, if not just a few weeks.” We’d warn against them when undertaking any serious thru-hikes, but there’s no denying that these boots have timeless charm and will travel well.

Experts I spoke with were reluctant to recommend sandals as default hiking footwear — even in summer. “For safety reasons, it’s a really good idea to wear closed-toe shoes even in hot temperatures,” says Elisabeth Haugan, communications coordinator at Arizona State Parks & Trails. “This will help prevent injury from scraping your toes or jamming your toes on sharp rocks.” Such injuries are common, because “when going up a steep incline, as you grow more tired, your legs can move more slowly than at the beginning of the hike — your brain thinks your foot is a little higher than it is, and you can easily scrape your toe on the next step.” If you know you’ll be crossing a few streams or rivers, though, she recommends clipping a pair of (preferably closed-toe) sandals to your pack with a carabiner and swapping shoes as needed. Steve Silberberg, head guide at Fitpacking, says that these Keen Clearwaters “give the freedom to power through rivers” without the risk of stubbing your toes on slippery stones. “I also love that they are lightweight, have outstanding traction, and are quick-drying and washable.”